BOGOTA: The death toll from a magnitude-7.4 earthquake that struck western Colombia has risen to 294, while 3,935 people have been injured and 320 remain missing, according to the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD).
The agency said 353 people have been rescued as emergency teams continue search-and-rescue operations in areas affected by collapsed buildings and widespread structural damage.
More than two-thirds of the reported deaths were concentrated in the cities of Cali and Pereira, according to the UNGRD.
Rescue teams remain engaged in searching for missing people and recovering bodies from collapsed structures. Cali fire captain Alberto Hernandez said rescue workers had identified only one location where there were signs of life, while operations at other sites were primarily focused on recovering victims.
The 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck on August 10, with its epicentre in the municipality of San Jose del Palmar in the Choco region. The powerful earthquake caused buildings to collapse and resulted in extensive damage across several areas of western Colombia.
Authorities continue to coordinate emergency response, rescue and recovery efforts as teams assess the extent of the destruction and search for those still missing.
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